Bensonhurst

Treyger, Harris make pitch to Asian-American voters

Forum features candidates in several races

August 9, 2016 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
The forum featured candidates in several primaries across New York. Photo courtesy of New York City Asian-American Democratic Club
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A political forum aimed at enticing Asian Americans and other minorities to go to the polls on Primary Day in September attracted a large group of candidates, including Coney Island lawmakers Mark Treyger and Pamela Harris, who made a pitch to expand their base of support.

More than 100 Asian-American activists from around the city gathered at the offices of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) at 310 West 43rd St. in Manhattan on Aug. 4 for the Asian-American New York State Primary Candidate Forum.

The event was sponsored by the New York City Asian-American Democratic Club (NYCADC) and Filipino Democratic Club of New York. The co-sponsors were the Alliance of South Asian American Labor, Muslim Democratic Club of New York and New York State Immigrant Action Fund.

Treyger (D-Coney Isalnd-Gravesend-Bensonhurst) is running for the position of Democratic district leader of the 46th Assembly District (AD) against fellow Democrat Chris McCreight in the Sept. 13 primary. The AD includes Coney Island, Dyker Heights and Bay Ridge.

Harris, a Democrat who won a special election last year in the 46th AD, is facing a primary challenge from Kate Cucco.

At the forum, candidates talked about a variety of issues affecting facing Asian-American communities such as affordable housing, education, public safety and sanitation, and a variety of other issues.

Robert Carroll and Troy Odendhal, two of the candidates running in the Democratic Primary in the 44th AD (Park Slope-Kensington) also attended the forum.

Kenneth Chiu, president of NYCADC, said he was pleased with the turnout.

“New York City Asian-American Democratic Club aims to unite Asian communities throughout the city to become civically engaged and understand the political process,” he said in a statement. “The needs of the pan-Asian community need to be addressed at the forefront of every candidate’s platform and cannot be ignored. We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that our voters are able to make informed decisions about the candidates who can best advocate for them on the campaign trail and in office.” 

Murad Awawdeh, president of the Muslim Democratic Club of NY, said the forum was an important step in winning recognition of the Muslim community in the political arena.

“The Muslim community and their needs have long been ignored. In the upcoming election we look forward to engaging our community to participate in the electoral process,” Awawdeh said in a statement.

“The New York State Immigrant Action Fund will mobilize our Asian, Muslim, and immigrant members to engage, educate, and mobilize voters this upcoming primary election and presidential election,” said Steven Choi, executive director of New York State Immigrant Action Fund.

 

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